-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean '' holds fast to the pirate code with great humor and animation , appeal for all ages and massive replayability after the main story mode is complete .

The latest LEGO block video game -LRB- Disney Interactive Studios , Traveller 's Tales -RRB- recounts the first three movies in the popular series and also includes the yet-to-be-released fourth film , `` Pirates of the Caribbean : On Stranger Tides . ''

The new movie is scheduled to debut on May 20 -- 10 days after the video game -- so you have been appropriately warned about spoilers . Each movie is broken down into five gaming levels .

This outing follows the typical LEGO game style with straight platform action involving sword fights , cannons and collecting `` studs '' -- single-connection LEGO blocks . Items can be smashed into smaller LEGO block components , and then collected for points or re-formed into another item that can be used in the game .

Players can use up to eight different characters on each level during story mode , but that can lead to a crowded screen . There were a few times when I could n't see what item needed to be collected or got pushed off a narrow ledge because the five characters who were traveling with me all wanted to be in the same spot .

Matt Ellison , associate producer at Traveller 's Tales Games , said 70 characters can be unlocked and bought throughout the entire game . Each character has a special ability that makes it unique from others , including Captain Jack Sparrow -LRB- portrayed in the films by Johnny Depp -RRB- .

`` Jack 's compass is really different from anything else we 've done -LRB- with LEGOs -RRB- , '' Ellison said . `` It will point to things Jack can find and also helps point to things to solve puzzles in the game . ''

Ellison said the settings are as iconic as they could be and the team tried to put the LEGO spin on the movies . Since the films ' characters are so well known , he said the team wanted to make sure to include little details to help players relate to each character .

For example , Captain Barbossa is often seen with an apple in his hand . And Jack 's running style -- arms straight out , waving frantically -- is humorously well represented .

`` A lot of time went into making sure we got Jack 's running right , his character right , '' Ellison said .

The game play is all about exploring the vast scenes in each level . Puzzle clues and treasure are all over the place , waiting to be discovered .

`` Eight collectibles in each level and 10 ships in a bottle can be found , '' Ellison said . `` There is something always hidden to get . ''

While the story mode only took me about nine hours , I barely collected 40 % of all the items that could be found .

Using Jack 's compass helps discover the missing booty , but there are also sign postings to help players find key elements in the level . Since the scenes are so big , it would be easy to get lost or frustrated without those helpers .

Said Ellison : `` The exploration game play ties into the ideology of ` Pirates of the Caribbean . ' Plus we wanted to make a distinctive change of pace between the levels , so you are treasure hunting in one level , and then fighting foes in the next . ''

Even on ship levels , players will need to go up into the rigging or down into the ship 's belly to find all they need to find . Ellison said each scene has to be solvable for all ages , and the game teaches you what to do and where to look as it goes along .

There are lengthy story-developing `` cut scenes '' and cinematics between the levels . The humor from the movies really shines in LEGO form , which uses its blocky medium to put interesting spins on the tale .

`` The humor appeals to all ages . We took the iconic movie settings and twisted them slightly to make them funnier . Plus we took the same slapstick humor from the films and just made more of it . ''

As I said , the fourth movie is also included , so I was worried about spoiling my future enjoyment . Ellison smiled when asked about it but assured me that no details about the story line would be ruined .

`` We will have some of the same locations but none of the dialogue -LRB- LEGO characters do not speak , only grunt -RRB- . We do have some of the action from the movie , but it should n't ruin the film for anyone , '' he said .

If you remain concerned , then wait until after the movie comes out before playing the fourth level .

The one drawback to the game was the two-player co-op play . As in other LEGO video games , two people in the same room can drop in and out as separate characters and solve all the puzzles .

Unlike previous LEGO games , which forced the two characters to stay in the same screenshot , `` LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean '' actually splits the screen as the characters walk away from each other .

However , the split in the split screen moved around in relation to where the characters were on the level . As the characters got closer to each other , the scene slowly changed back to a single screen . It was difficult to focus on what my character was doing or where it was in the split-screen action .

My co-op player and I found it confusing and , at times , frustrating to figure out where we needed to go or what we needed to do unless we were on the same screen .

There was never a time where a puzzle needed to be solved in split-screen mode . After a while , it just gave me a headache . While I often lamented being kept in the same screen in previous LEGO co-op versions , the split-screen action as presented is not the solution I was looking for .

Once each level is completed in story mode , free play mode is unlocked , allowing you to use any of the characters you have available to solve puzzles that could n't be previously figured out .

Those characters will also get you into previously unavailable areas . Finding all the collectibles and solving all the brain teasers will keep play going for many hours after the story mode is complete .

The game is also available for the Nintendo 3DS , but there are only 16 levels , and you can use only one character during each level . Ellison said the 3DS version is tailored to the single-player experience and everything can be solved by one character .

`` LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean '' is a fun spin on the blockbuster -LRB- pun intended -RRB- movies . It ramps up the humor from the films and offers plenty of action for players . Exploration is the key .

Overall , the game is lots of fun despite some playability glitches .

And following the adventures of Jack Sparrow ... I mean , Captain Jack Sparrow ... is worthy of any would-be pirate .

`` LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean '' is now available in the U.S. and , as of Friday , in Europe . It will be released May 19 in Australia .

It is available on the PC , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360 , Wii , Nintendo 3DS , and PSP . It is rated E10 + due to cartoon violence and comic mischief . This review was done playing on the Xbox 360 in story mode , co-op mode and free play .

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Game has great humor and animation , appeal for all ages , and massive replayability

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Each `` Pirates '' movie is broken down into five gaming levels

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One drawback to the game is the two player co-op play